Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-03
THE LADY AGENT.
A REPORTER JOTS DOWN WHAT
SHE HAS TO SAY.

| A Useful Class of Citizens Which the
World Does Not Appreciated Case of
Counter BIuff-In an Emergency.
There is a lady at the door. Show her into
the parlor. No, stop. Shut the door in her
face. She is nothing but an agent Never
let an agent inside the house. Agents are SO
cheeky They are SO persistent. They can
talk an arm off in less than fifteen minutes.
Is there no protection for US! We can man
age to keep the wolf from our door, but we
are powerless to resist the book agent Give
her a bluff Invite her to close the door from
the outside
And now hear what the lady agent has to
say for herself.
Do you think I came from the Cannioal
islands, Do you think am going about Like
a roaring lion, seeking who l may deyourf II
this is the cause of all your terror, let your
minds be disabused, for am simply trying to
make living, same as other people. We are
q very useful class of citizens, but the world
does not appreciate us.
Our business is about as certain as Louis
lana lottery Sometimes we make great win
nings, and sometimes we lose. We are apt to
make any amount from ten cents to 500 per
HCChs DuC We 6ciit~l hCCP hcdici tuO bCll
cent line Sometimes we meet very pleasant
people Sometimes we meet very unpleasant
people. Sometimes the game is bluff. Some
times counter bluff.
THE SEWING MACHINE.
Let me explain. Once when | was canvass
ing for sewing machines l rang the bell of a
house on Mount Auburn, and instead of the
door being opened by a servant, as was usl-
ally the case, it was a gentleman who an
swered my summons and whom quickly de-
cided to be lord and master.
Ny business was soliciting orders for ma
chimes, to be sent on trial. | carried nothing
with me but a little hand satchel, within
which was concealed the give away note book
and pencil, and the servants who opened the
door for me generally took me to be one of
church fair committee, | guess; but | never
would tell them my business. l would always
insist upon seeing the lady herself. However,
upon the day in question, when the gentleman
met me at the door, | was informed that the
wife had gone down into the city, and would
not be home until quite late. SO there was
no hope of seeing her, and just then some evil
spirit whispered IN my ear, Tell the husband,
perhaps he will surprise his wife by having a
machine sent in" So 1 launched forth in my
most eloquent strain, but when | came to the
place where he should have Clipped in and
said, Certainly, send it right along" de-
tected vicious smile playing around the cor
ners of his mouth, and knew that indicated
a bluff, and braced myself TO receive it.
He said: well, of course, you can send
the machine, but l will have to charge you
storage"
Certainly" said l, eve would not expect
else. We always pay storage. How
much do you charge!"
He began to look puzzled, but answered.
"a dollar a week"
Thank yOu," said /, warmly. Consider |
ing the excellency of our machine, your
charges are quite reasonable"
Then, taking out my book and pencil, 1 |
noted the street and number and asked: |
"What Is your name, please, when will you
have it sent,'